One Fine Day at the Auckland Zoo




We visited the Auckland Zoo on a recent Saturday when the weather was perfect (around 70 degrees). We were very impressed with the zoo ranking it as one of our all-time favorites. The setting is beautfiul and the animals were active, probably due to the moderate temperature.

 

This elephant was right by the entrance. We walked around the entire zoo. It was quiet and serene.

  



As we walked around the zoo I kept feeling like we had ventured into the Garden of Eden. It was an idyllic setting.



A very aptly named flower...Bird of Paradise

The sea lion enclosure was excellent. We happened to walk by as the animal trainer was doing a little "show" with the sea lions. He was telling us here not to throw fishing line or rope into the ocean as it is dangerous to the sea lions (shown here wearing a version of the dangerous stuff, for demonstration purposes only).



The baboons were especially interesting to Elder Jacobsen as he hunted them while living in Ethiopia with his family in 1965. They were considered "crop destroyers" and so hunting them was allowed.



The giraffes and zebras happily coexisted in their enclosure.




This is the bird enclosure and the buildings on either side contain other additional bird exhibits and enclosures including one for nocturnal animals like the Kiwi .



The Kiwi exhibit replicated their habitat of trees and bush. Unfortunately for us the Kiwi were not interested in making an appearance while we were there. The Kiwi is now an endangered species falling prey to attacks from domesticated dogs. They are found in a few remote spots on islands and places where the predators can be closely controlled.

At first we were standing by this enclosure for Ringtailed Lemur and could not see a single one. Then the trainer came into the enclosure to feed them and suddenly they were everywhere.  

Love and hugs 'til our next post!